MLB Player News

  • Padres' Steven Wilson: Not ready for mound work

    Manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Wilson (hip) has resumed playing catch at the Padres' facility in Arizona, but the right-hander has yet to start throwing off a mound, MLB.com reports.

    Wilson was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 30 with left hip inflammation. The Padres haven't shut Wilson down nor indicated that his injury is especially serious, and while he won't require an extensive buildup as a one- or two-inning reliever, he's still not a lock to make it back from the IL before the season ends Oct. 1.

  • Cody Bolton RP | HOU

    Pirates' Cody Bolton: Headed back to minors

    Bolton was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

    Bolton has fanned 21 batters in 19.1 innings this season but has otherwise struggled mightily, posting a 6.52 ERA and 2.22 WHIP with 15 walks. He's being replaced on the roster by Quinn Priester.

  • Adam Ottavino RP | NYY

    Mets' Adam Ottavino: Nails down save No. 10

    Ottavino struck out one over 1.2 perfect innings Tuesday to record his 10th save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

    Entering the game with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning, Ottavino got Corbin Carroll to ground into a double play to escape the jam, then breezed through the heart of the Arizona order in the ninth. The veteran righty has the Mets' last three saves, with Drew Smith being the last pitcher other than Ottavino to collect one back on Sept. 1, and barring a late-season cameo from Edwin Diaz (knee), he'll likely remain the team's closer the rest of the way.

  • Ryan Helsley RP | BAL

    Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Secures ninth save

    Helsley picked up the save in Tuesday's win over Baltimore, tossing a perfect inning.

    Helsley needed just seven pitches to set down the top of Baltimore's lineup in order, securing a 5-2 victory. The 29-year-old flamethrower has successfully converted the Cardinals' last two save opportunities, posting five consecutive scoreless appearances since his return from injury Sept. 1. As of now, Helsley seems to have returned to primary closing duties for the Cardinals.

  • Brad Hand RP | ATL

    Braves' Brad Hand: Notches extra-inning save

    Hand picked up the save in Tuesday's 7-6 victory over Philadelphia. He notched one strikeout in a perfect 10th inning.

    After Atlanta's closer, Raisel Iglesias, blew a save in the ninth inning, Hand successfully shut the door on Philadelphia's comeback effort with a perfect 10th inning. It was the 33-year-old's first save of the year after amassing 129 over the previous six seasons. Despite Iglesias blowing back-to-back chances, there is little doubt that he will remain the top option to close out games down the stretch.

  • Craig Kimbrel RP | NYM

    Phillies' Craig Kimbrel: Takes loss in extras

    Kimbrel (7-6) took the loss in Tuesday's contest with Atlanta. He allowed an unearned run on one hit in one inning.

    Kimbrel took an unfortunate loss in the 10th inning, allowing just one single that got past Philadelphia's drawn-in infield to score the automatic runner. Despite the loss, it marked his fifth straight appearance without allowing an earned run. Kimbrel is 23-for-26 in save opportunities this season with a 3.34 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 11.9 K/9 across 62 innings.

  • Rockies' Justin Lawrence: Handles ninth-inning work

    Lawrence picked up the save Tuesday against the Cubs. He allowed one walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

    Lawrence earned his first save since Aug. 14, taking over the ninth-inning role for the night with Tyler Kinley having pitched on back-to-back days and blowing a save opportunity Monday. The save was Lawrence's 11th of the campaign in 17 opportunities. Regardless, expect Kinley to remain ahead of Lawrence in the pecking order for now.

  • Javier Assad RP | CHC

    Cubs' Javier Assad: Roughed up at Coors Field

    Assad did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks over 3.1 innings against the Rockies. He struck out four.

    After lasting at least five innings in six consecutive starts, Assad fell short of the mark Tuesday. Despite allowing just five hits, he set a season high in runs and walks allowed. Assad is set up for a potential bounce-back opportunity next time out, however, as he's lined up to take on the Pirates at Wrigley early next week.

  • Sean Manaea RP | NYM

    Giants' Sean Manaea: Decent in starting opportunity

    Manaea (5-6) allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out five over 5.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Guardians.

    Manaea had a decent performance, throwing 56 of 80 pitches for strikes. He faltered in the sixth inning, though a two-out error by LaMonte Wade allowed the Guardians to load the bases. Ryan Walker relieved Manaea and promptly gave up a two-run single. Manaea has often featured as a long reliever this season, pitching to a 4.80 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 115:42 K:BB through 99.1 innings across 34 appearances (seven starts). The southpaw's role going forward is unclear, but he should be available to make his next appearance over the weekend in Colorado, whether that's as a starter or bulk reliever.

  • Devin Williams RP | NYM

    Brewers' Devin Williams: Records 33rd save

    Williams picked up the save Tuesday against the Marlins. He struck out one over a perfect inning.

    After giving up a run in back-to-back appearances to open September, Williams received over a week off and has bounced back with a pair of perfect innings. Despite the brief hiccup, Williams is tied for the fifth-most saves in MLB and owns a 1.68 ERA across 53.2 frames this year.

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